Public holidays in France (jours fériés) are 11 nationally recognised days each year when most employees are entitled to a paid day off. Unlike some European countries, France does not allow employers to substitute public holidays with other days — the entitlement is fixed by law, and violations carry significant penalties.
As an employer in France, you need to know which days are public, how to pay employees, and what happens when a public holiday falls on a weekend. This guide covers every French public holiday for 2026, your obligations under the Code du Travail, and practical steps to stay compliant.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 French Public Holidays (Jours Fériés)
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day (Fête du Travail) | 1 May | Friday |
| Victory in Europe Day (Victoire 1945) | 8 May | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Ascension) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) | 25 May | Monday |
| Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) | 14 July | Tuesday |
| Assumption Day (Assomption) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Armistice Day (Armistice) | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day (Noël) | 25 December | Friday |
Note: Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday and All Saints’ Day (1 November) falls on a Sunday in 2026. French law does not automatically grant substitute days for public holidays that fall on weekends.
Are All 11 Jours Fériés Mandatory?
Yes. All 11 jours fériés are mandatory for all employers in metropolitan France. You cannot:
- Replace a public holiday with a different day off
- Require employees to work on a public holiday without specific justification
- Pay employees in lieu of the day off (unless they actually work)
The only exception is for employees in specific sectors (hospitals, transportation, hospitality) where continuous operation is required, and even then, compensatory time off must be provided.
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on a Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they are entitled to:
- A paid day off — The employee doesn’t work and receives their full salary
- If required to work — The employee receives their full salary PLUS a compensatory rest day (jour de récupération) or premium pay, depending on the collective agreement
Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the employee is not entitled to a substitute day off under French law. The holiday is considered “lost” unless:
- The collective agreement (convention collective) provides for a substitute day
- The employer voluntarily grants a replacement day
Many collective agreements do provide for substitution — check yours carefully.
Calculating Daily Pay
For daily-paid employees:
- Salaried employees: Normal daily rate applies
- Hourly employees: Number of hours normally worked on that day × hourly rate
- Variable pay: Average over the last 3 months
Example: An employee earning €3,000/month working Monday to Friday. Bastille Day (14 July) falls on a Tuesday. Their daily pay is €3,000 ÷ 22 working days = €136.36.
Working on Public Holidays
French law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Continuous operation sectors: Hospitals, hotels, restaurants, transportation, utilities
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The employer must obtain permission from the labour inspectorate (DIRECCTE)
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They must receive their regular pay
- They must receive a compensatory rest day (jour de récupération) within the period set by the collective agreement
- Some collective agreements require additional premium pay
The compensatory rest day is not optional — it’s a legal requirement.
Jours Fériés and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while an employee is on holiday, their leave is extended by one day.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 13-17 July 2026. Bastille Day (14 July) falls within this period. The employee uses 4 leave days, not 5 — the 14 July is a public holiday and doesn’t consume annual leave.
Special Rules for Different Employee Categories
Apprentices and Young Workers
Apprentices and employees under 18 are entitled to all public holidays. Additional restrictions may apply under their collective agreement.
Part-Time Workers
Part-time workers are entitled to public holidays on the same basis as full-time workers. If a public holiday falls on a day they don’t normally work, they’re not entitled to a substitute day unless the collective agreement provides for one.
Foreign Workers
Foreign employees working in France are entitled to the same public holidays as French employees. The applicable law is the law of the country where the work is performed.
Common Mistakes
Not Checking Collective Agreements
The Code du Travail sets minimum standards, but collective agreements often provide additional entitlements. Always check the applicable convention collective for your industry.
Forgetting to Extend Leave
If a public holiday falls during an employee’s annual leave, you must extend the leave. Failing to do so is a common payroll error.
Assuming Substitute Days Are Automatic
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, French law does not grant a substitute day. Only your collective agreement or company policy can provide one.
Key Takeaways
- France observes 11 public holidays each year — all are mandatory
- Employees get a paid day off on each public holiday that falls on a working day
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, no substitute day is automatic — check your collective agreement
- Employees who work on a public holiday must receive a compensatory rest day
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Always check your convention collective for additional entitlements
Tracking public holidays across a French workforce — especially with collective agreements — requires precision. Leave Balance keeps your team’s entitlements accurate and automates compliance checks.